Shahawar Matin Siraj Convicted of Conspiring to Place Explosives at the 34th Street Subway Station

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 24, 2006

Faces a Maximum Sentence of Life Imprisonment

SHAHAWAR MATIN SIRAJ was convicted today by a federal jury in Brooklyn of conspiring to plant
explosive devices at the 34th Street subway station in Manhattan in August 2004, just prior to start of the
Republican National Convention at nearby Madison Square Garden. The verdict was announced today
by Roslynn R. Mauskopf, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, after five weeks
of trial. SIRAJ faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. SIRAJ remains held without bail,
where he has been since his arrest on August 27, 2004.

SIRAJ is the second individual convicted for participating in this plot. In October 2004, JAMES
ELSHAFAY pleaded guilty to conspiracy to damage or destroy a subway station by means of an
explosive, and testified against SIRAJ in this trial.

“SIRAJ conspired to plant a bomb in one of the most active public transportation hubs in America,”
stated United States Attorney Mauskopf. “Thanks to the diligent work of law enforcement, the plot
never developed beyond the planning stage, and the public was never at risk. This case demonstrates our
unwavering commitment to ensure that we stop terrorist plans before they become terrorist acts. We will
spare no effort to secure the safety of our residents.” Ms. Mauskopf praised the outstanding work of the
New York City Police Department, and in particular, the courageous work of the Intelligence Division’s
undercover detective known only as “Kamil Pasha” who testified at trial. Ms. Mauskopf also thanked
the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York Joint Terrorist Task Force for their efforts in this
matter.

At trial, the government established that SIRAJ and Elshafay plotted to plant explosive devices at the
Herald Square subway station in order to disrupt commerce and transportation in New York City and
damage the economy. The jury heard hours of secretly recorded conversations between SIRAJ and
Osama Eldawoody, an Egyptian nuclear engineer who became a paid informant for the New York City
Police Department’s Intelligence Division, in which SIRAJ declared his hatred for America and openly
discussed his desire to place explosives on various bridges and in subway stations in New York City,
including his plan to bomb the subway station at 34th Street. In furtherance of their scheme, SIRAJ and
Elshafay drove to the subway station on August 21, 2004, entered and inspected the station, and then
returned to their car and drew diagrams of the location in order to help them later place a bomb. At the
time they were arrested on August 27, 2004 neither SIRAJ nor Elshafay was in possession of any
explosive material.

When sentenced by United States District Judge Nina Gershon, SIRAJ faces a maximum sentence of life
imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy to place and detonate an explosive in a public transportation
system; a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment on
the charge of conspiracy to damage and destroy, by means of an explosive, a building or vehicle;
a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy to wreck and disable
a mass transportation vehicle; and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment on the charge
of conspiracy to place a destructive device in or near a facility used in the operation of mass
transportation.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Harrison and Marshall L. Miller assigned to the Violent Crimes and Terrorism Section,
under the supervision of Section Chief Kelly T. Currie.

The Defendant:

NAME: SHAHAWAR MATIN SIRAJDOB: 05/26/82

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